How We Work

Model for Success

We are the partners, coaches, and advocates for our national network of educational and industry leaders. Organized as a 501c3, not-for-profit corporation, NC3 is funded through high school, community and technical college memberships and industry contributions.

Our Implementation Strategy

Boosting Awareness

Beyond its work in the classroom, NC3 works to position technical occupations as a premier career choice. NC3 also promotes it's student-focused program, Signing Day to celebrate the incoming class of new “industrial athletes” as they sign a letter of intent for their commitment to a technical career.

Transforming Training Sites

Together with program administrators and industry educators, the NC3 team, including industry representatives, evaluate classroom and lab floors, current training systems, program goals, and local labor market demands.

NC3 provides industry insights to develop a strategic plan for an ideal educational workspace. This may include purging outdated equipment and materials that will not serve a purpose in the redesign.

Instructor Readiness

The NC3 Train-the-Trainer program provides standardized, world-class training to new and experienced instructors. Instructors spend a week engaged in hands-on learning with other top instructors from around the country.

Theory & Hands-on Practice

NC3 credentials are an overarching system developed for specific tool use and centered on industry skills. The school’s existing course curriculum is the basis of the training while the NC3 certification is a stackable component that complements the course.

NC3 certifications enhance the school’s program with theory and hands-on practice with specific company-sponsored equipment and tools. Students graduate with transferable knowledge and competency valued by the sponsoring company and any employer.

Lab Solutions & Facility Planning

For each NC3 certification, there is guidance from community businesses about outfitting the classrooms for experiential learning. Together, education, industry, and NC3 determine what design will produce a good career for students who will work locally.

The goal is modern and effective training centers that will attract the highest caliber of student and will be an overall effective and professional classroom. Schools then purchase the equipment and materials, installing only what makes sense.